In communities where the referendum passes, retail stores will be able to sell wine starting July 1, 2016.

The group Red, White, and Food organized the petition campaign. Food City, Kroger, and Publix grocery stores put competition aside to team up to gather signatures.

Food City put tables out at every store. Knoxville's district manager, Randy Williams said they put a lot of time and effort into the campaign.

"We're really proud... for our customers to get the choice about putting wine in our stores," Williams said, "There's a large overwhelming number of our customers who want that option, who want to see it happen."